Tongariro Alpine Crossing

March 3, 2017


This morning we got going early. We left the hotel at 7 am to get to the starting point to hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. It was packed at the beginning and throughout the hike, but we were still able to enjoy it. We started hiking a barren area in the Mangatepopo Valley and after about 1 1/2hours of uphill hiking we came upon the outhouses. Since there aren't trees or brush, they brought in pottys camouflaged to fit in better. After that it was straight up from there.We passed the Red crater, which is an active volcano,  Emerald and Blue lakes, and a thermal area,  and stunning mountains. We hiked over Tongariro and coming down was a bit sketchy. It was all skree and sand, so very unsteady. After we hiked to Ketetahi hut, we had about 4 mikes left through a Lahar area ( mud flow hazard area), and a very tropical area. It was a beautiful 13 miles hike!! Needless to say, we are tired tonight. Wonderful hike and a way to see such a variety of terrain.

We had dinner for the second night at Pihanga, one of the restaurants of Chateau Tongariro. Both nights we have met English couples who have family living in the US, and are very familiar with our politics and sympathetic.